Gear-shifting mechanism.



W. A. McCARRELL.

GEAR SHRFTING MECHANISM. 7

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 30. 1914.

rimmd'mar. 12,191

3 SHEETS-SHEET I- W. A. McCARRELL. GEAR SHIFTING MECHANISM. APPLICATION man NOV- 30. m4.

Patented Mar. 12, 191s.

I 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

w. A. McCARRELL GEAR SHIFTING MECHANISM. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 30. 1914.

Pmented Mar. 12,1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

'ay's M... W m--- 52 E 3 H o Z3 v 1 1 I mmww I 2 W M K W WILLIAM A. MOCARBELL, OF MILWAUKEE, WISGON 'SIN, ASSIGNOB, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MEETS, TO I VULCAN MOTOR DEVICES COMPANY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYL- VAN IA, A COBPORATIONOF PENNSYLVANIA enan-sn rrrmo mncnnnrsm.

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM A. MCCAR- nELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State ofWisc'onsin, have'invented new and useful Improvements in Gear- Shifting Mechanism, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and'exact description, reference being had to the accompan ing drawing, forming a part of this spec cation. D

[his invention relates to gear' shifting devices.

, embodiment of the means More particularly the invention relates to automobile gear shifters and it has among its objects to provide a compact and eficient neutralizing mechanism.

A. further object is to provide improved means for efiecting neutral positioning of the gears prior to power shifting thereof and for terminating the power supply immediately after the selected shift has been etiected thereby.

Another ob ect is to provide improved means auxiliary to the power means for enabling a manual change in the driving connection of the transmission gears in an emergency. i K

Various other objects and advantaes will appear hereinafter in connection wit a de- 'scription of a preferred embodiment ot the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in whichv Figure 1 is aschematic view of a shitting mechanism for speed change gears.

"Fig. 2 is a similar view of an auxiliary shifting. a

Fig. 3 is a reduced schematic view of the shifting mechanism associated with speed change gears. r

'. Fig. d isa top 'planview ofa mechanical shown in Figs.

1 and 2. i

Fig. 5 is a sectional view onthe line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view on the line d-ti of 44 i are manually moved out of mechanism for manually eiiecting gear. p

' or away of Fig. 4, and

Fi 8 1s a sectional view on the line 8-8 of Fig. 4,

The mechanism illustrated is more particularly designed for efiecting gear shifts in motor vehicles and operates in general to insure neutral positioning of all gears prior to each shift and to eiiect a selected shift only while the power drive through the gears isinterrupted. As shown the mechanism is incorporated with an electroresponsive gear shifting device and a manually operated transmission clutch in an arrangement whereby the speed change gears mesh by the operating lever of the clutch and thereafter moved to the desired meshing combination by the electro-responsive device, the circuit connections 0 the latter being predetermined by a manual selector and being estab: lished by means associated wlth the clutch operating lever;

. Referring more specifically to Fig. 1, two gear shitting forks '1 and 2 are provide to he operatively connected in a suitable manner with the sliding elements of the transmission gearing to be controlled. These forks 1 and 2 are respectively provided with parallel operating rods 3 and d which constitute the-cores oi noids and which, when attracted by the latter, serve to move the forks in either direction to efiect any selected gear connection. The forks 1 and 2 are also provided with studs 5 projecting toward each other and ositioned in alinement when all gears are in neutral position.

Two parallel shafts 6 and 7 extend transversely across the bars 3, d and have respectively thereon a fixed finger 8 and a loose finger 9 with segment gears in con stantmesh so that the same rotate toward from each other simultaneously. The extremities of the fingersB, 9 are dison opposite sides of the studs 5 and are adapted, when rotated toward each ether, to engage said studs, it out oi clips:

suitable sole-- 1,25%,921. Specification of Letters latented Mar. 12, 918. Application filed November 80, 1am. Serial No. 874,695. To all whom it mag concern: I l I Fig; 7 is a sectional view on the line 7-7 mas er ment, and draw the same into alinement 3, 4 isattracted to move the selected gear, 65 whereby the gears are brought to. neutral thereby carrying its stud 5 against one of position. In practice this operation is efthe fingers 8, 9 to spread the same. The 'fected through the conventional clutch shaft 6 is thereby rotated counter-clockwise r lever or pedal when moved to throw out and turns the lever 10 therewith until the or disengage the clutch. For this purpose same strikes an ofiset lug 26 on the collar 18 a depending lever 10 is fixed to the exkeyed t0 the shaft 12. Said collar and shaft tremity of the shaft 6 in a position to be are thus also rotated, but in a clockwise d1- engaged and rotated clockwise by a pawl rection, so that the pawl 24 is raised and '1; 11 loosely mounted on a short shaft 12 jour-. tripped from its engagement with the switch naled through the extremity of a rocking rod 22. The switch 21 thereupon opens in arm 13 fixed to a rock shaft.- 14 which latresponse to suitable biasing means such as a ter has a second fixed arm 15 having a lostspring 27, whereby, after shifting of the semotion connection at its free end with a lected gear has been effected, the power link 16 connected to the clutch lever 16 of supply is immediately terminated irrespecthe vehicle. The amount of lost motion betive of the position of the clutch lever. It tween said link and the arm 15 is such that is of course to be understood that the scdisengagement .of the clutch is completed quence of operation above described requires before the lever 15 and the associated parts but a very short period. In fact, thcgear 2e are moved. The pawl 11 is biased toward change from one speed to neutral and to the the lever 10 by a spring 17 on shaft 12 and selected speed is accomplished during a sinhaving its ends bearing against said pawl gle quick depression of the clutch lever. and a collar 18 which is keyed to said It is also to be understood that the mechanishaft 12. cal clutch may be disengaged and rengaged 2s WVith the connections described movement when desired without afiecting the speed clutch turns the rock shaft lt and rocking tion of the link 16. lever 13 in a clockwise direction whereby While the circuit connection to the op-. the shaft 12 and pawl 11 are carried in the crating solenoid winding is automatically 30 same direction about shaft-14 as an axis. interrupted upon predetermined attraction The pawl 11 thus turns the lever 10 causing f either of the operating cores 3, 4: as above the shaft 6 to rot-ate and draw together the set forth, there is also preferably provided fingers 8 and 9 for neutralizing the gears as means for positively opening the switch 21 above set forth At the moment this oper in the event that the latter should stick 5 ation is completed the pawl 11 will have gainst the action of the spring 27. As

reached a position where an oiisetlug 19 hown this means comprises a shoulder 28 on thereof abuts fiifixed SliOP Thlls 1- the switch operating pawl 24 which engages tinned movement of the clutch lever causes the inner shoulder of the notch 23 on the the pawl to be tripped and to release the switch red when the clutch lever is released to lever 10 whereby the connection between the in case the switch has not previously opened.

transmission gearing and the clutch pedal is v The mechanism illustrated in Fig. 2 is an interrupted and the former freed for ssauxiliary device whereby the gears may be lective operation. shifted manuallyif necessary, for example,

above mentioned, P WQ in the event of failure of the source of en- 45 devices comprising the cores 3, 4 and solesrgy. As shown the shaft 7 is journaled noid windings therefor are employed to .efboth for. rotation and axial movement and feet movement of the gears to mesh and a is provided with a pair of forks 29 and 30, normally open switch 21 operated by the (on opposite sides of the finger 9) each of clutch lever is provided to complete circuit which straddles one of the studs 5 on the 50 to the selected solenoid winding. This gear shifters 1, 2. A- spring 31 biases the.

switch has ,a reciprocable operating rod 22 shaft to normal position in which the fork with anotchedextremity 23 afi'ording shoul- 29 is keyed to said shaft by a feather 32 derst be engaged by an operatin pawl 2% while the fork 30 is loose. However, axial keyed to the shaft12. The paw 24, as is movement of the shaft against the action of 55 apparent, moves forwardly with the pawl spring 31 at the same time frees the fork 11in n u ralizing, and the same is arranged 29 and keys the fork 30 by a feather 33. A. to engage the end wall of the notch 23 on fitting 34 is fixed to the extremity of the the switch rod 22, immediately after tripshaft 7 and is provided with a recess 35 to ping of thepawl-ll. Thus continued movereceive a hand lever 36 by which the shaft 7 as mentor the clutch lever and pawl 24 moves may be operated manually. For example, H

.therod '22; to close the switch'21 forcom-' manual rotation of said shaft moves the pletingcir cuit across'suitable stationary con: gear shifter 2 through the medium of the tacts ,5. The selected operating solenoid-is fork 29 which engages the left studs; t0 thereupon "ensrgized'andi one st the cares thereby establish either of two driving con of the lever 15 upon disengagement of the change gears dueto the lost mption connec- 1,aue,921 B nections through the speed change g gars, the casing and in a position accessible from r such as first speed forward or reverse. hen thereabove.

it is desired to move the shifter 1 to establish either of two other driving connections, such as second and third speeds forward, the shaft 7 is moved axially by the operating lever 36 to release finger 29 from its feather 32 and to key the finger 30 to the shaft'by its feather 33. Thereupon rotation of said shaft operates shifter 1 through the medium 30 and the right stud 5. While the described means for effecting gear shifts is designed as ancillary to the power shifting means yet the same is obviously of advantage for emergency use, and moreover, does not affect nor complicate the remainder of the mechanism.

Figs. 4 to 8 illustrate a preferred working structure of the device described. A casing 37 is provided to house and support the solenoid winding arranged compactly in pairs at each end. The shafts 6, 7 extend transversely of the casing and are journaled in opposite walls of the same. The rock shaft 14 is journaled through the outside end wall of the supporting frame and the switch rod 22 likewise extends therethrough.

the tripping device 20 for the neutralizing pawl 11 is an offset lug on the casing. It is to be noted that the rocking arms 10 and 13- and the pawls 11 and 2.4 are closely adjacent and occupy but very little space.

Means is provided to insure against simultaneous movement of the two shifter operating rods 3, 4 so that improper meshing of the gears and consequent damage is rendered impossible. The means shown to accomplish this result comprises ended detent 38 in the casing intermediate the operating rods and having its ends biased apart to rest in recesses 39 in said rods when the gears are in neutral position.

bers of the that when either rod is moved the lost motion between said ends-is taken up and the unmoved rod is accordin ly locked against reciprocation. Sprin tents 40 are also provided to resilient y engage notches 4.1 1n the-operating rods for holding the latter against movement after the driving connection is established through the gears. i A terminal box for the circuit connections of the various solenoid windings is attache to the end of the frame 37 opposite .the switch 21. This box is supported on anadjustable bolt 42 having its extremity ing through the casing and constituting an abutment 1n the path of the rocking arm 1 to insure against inward movement of the switch rod 22 beyond a redetermined limit. The fitting 34 to receive the emergency hand level- 36 1s d 1sposed withoptene end; wall of a doublej engage toward each other and. positioned in combination,

extend- 3 sides of said shifter parts.an d foot operated {25 What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is j 1. In a device of the character described, in combination, speed change gears, shifters therefor, axially offset pivoted members to move said shifters for neutralizing said gears, means including apawl to rotate said members, foot operated means to move saic pawl, and means to trip said pawl for freeing said shifters upon movement, of said foot operated means to a predetermined degree. 2. In a device of the character'described. in combination, speed change gears. shi ers therefor having portions disposed in a predetermined relation when said gears are in neutral, rotatable members to engage an draw said shifter portions to said predee termined relation, a pawl to rotate said members, foot operated means to move said pawl, and means to trip said pawl for freeing said shifters upon a definite movement of the former means.

3. in a device of the character described, in combination, speed change gears, s ifters therefor having portions disposed in a predetermined relation when said gears are in neutral, a pair bers to engage and dltlW'Stlld shifter portions to said predetermined relation, a bodily movable pawl to rotate one of said members, foot operated means to move said pawl, and means to trip said pawl for freeing sai shifters upon predetermined movement 0 said foot-operated means.

'4. In a device of the character described, in combinatiomspeed change gears, shifters therefor having portions positioned in alinegears are in neutral. a pair each other to and ment when said of members movable toward and aline said shifter portions, operating means for said members;

5. In a device of in combination, speed change gears, shifters therefor having 0 set portions projecting ment when said gears are in neutral, a pair of members embracing said portions and movable together foralining the same,- an operating means for said members.

6. In a device of the character described, two rcciprocable gear shi llel paths 'and h ers movable in par a predeparts positioned in 'alinement for termin'ed relation of said shifters, a pair 9 pivoted members interlocked tov rotate n opposite directions and disposed on opposite means for rotating said members towar each other to thereby aline said'fshifter 4 1 e e baebrrrtdsr r of interlocked rotatable memthe character described,

llll

in almeavmg ' tr, eembinatiep, speed change gears, shifters. therefor, and means for-neutralizing said gears including a pair of eccentrically pivoted members movable together to engage and move said shifters,

8, In a device of the character described, in combination, speed change gears, shifters therefor and means for neutralizing said gears including a pair of eccentrically piv-- 1t oted members interlocked to rotate simule taneouslv and adapted to engage and move said shiftersv Q. In a device of the character described, in combination, speed change gears, parallel 1L5 reci-procable shifters therefor, and means for neutralizing'said gears including a pair of rotatable members having toothed portions in mesh: for insuring simultaneous rotation of said members in opposite directions and at having lever portions to engage said shiftera.

10. In a device of the character described, in combination, speed change gears, shifters therefor having offset port1ons,a' pair 9f in combination, speed change gears, shifters therefor having odset portions, a pair of portions and movable toward each other for 85 drawin said portions together, and foot operate means for moving said members together and means to free said members from said means upon movement of the former by the latter.

4o 12. In a device of the character described, in combination, speed change gears, parallel shifters therefor having offset portions projecting toward each other, a pair of members on opposite sides of said ofi'set portions,

each of Said members being movable to enpage andmove both of said portions in one direction, and operating means for said members. v

3,3. In a device of the character described,

so in combination, speed change gears, shifters therefor, and means for neutralizing said gears includingtwo interlocked pivoted members, each adapted to engage and move said! Shifters. in one direction.

114 In a device of the character described, in combination, speed change gears, shifters therefor, and means for neutralizing said gears. including two interlocked members each adapted to engage and move aid shiftare In. one d rect n a d o b m d y he san wi h r c it. In, a. d vise a h ehs ae esc ed, in combination, speed change gears, shifters nna? efiset ae tieas, a pai of or members disposed on opposite sides of said in combination, speed change gears, shifters therefor having ofiset portions projecting toward each other and positioned in alinenaent when said gears are in neutral, a pair of interlocked rotatable members to engage and aline said ofi'set portions when rotated together, and operating means for rotating said members together, said members being rotated apart by said shifters independently of said means. I

17. lin a device of the. character described, in combination, speed change gears, shifters therefor having ofi set portions positioned in alinement when said gears are in neutral, and a pair of eccentrlcally pivoted members interlocked to rotate in opposite directions, said members engaging and alining said offset portions when rotated toward each other and being engaged and separated by said offset portions when said shifters are moved from neutral position. 4

18. In a device of the character described, in combination, speed change ears, shifters Q5 therefor, operating members or said shifters, a foot operated crank lever having a and means to trip said pawl for freeing said gears upon predetermined partial movement of said crank lever.

19. In a device of the character described, in combination, speed change gears, a pair of reciprocable shifters therefor, a pair of shafts extendingtransversely of said shifters, pivoted operating members for said shifters arranged on said shafts, a foot operatcd crank lever having a pawl to rotate said members for neutralizing said gears, and means to trip said pawl for freeing said gears upon a ptfidetermined movement of said crank lever.

20. in a device of the character described, in combination, speed change gears, a pair of 11.3 reciprocable shifters therefor having offset portions ositioned in alincment when said gears are 1n neutral, a pair of shafts extending transversely of said shifters, a fired member on one of said shafts, a loose mean we her on the other, said members being interlocked to rotate together for engaging and alining said ofiset shifter portions, a lever interlocked to'rotate with one of said members, a foot operated crank lever having a 3.25 pivoted pawl to engage and rotate said first n utered l v r, and a step o tr p sa d part f r f ee ng sa d s an a predetermined me eni nt' i scatterer.

21L lln. a, device of the character described, tat

by said power devices for causing said first move said shifters for efiecting adriving 75 s responsive shifting means therefor to effect tioned member for freeing said shifters inso sp i means by Said C n rol means upon ers therefor, rotatable members to move said 85 ers therefor, means to move said shifters for movable paw to rotate said members, av co so f d m n an. p ngp l for said freeing sai shifters before 0 eration of as,

as h r f r, means to mo saidsh f ers for ers therefor, rotatable members to move said we for said means, an operating pawl for said able pawl to rotate said members, a pawl ice as tioned pawl.

move said shifters for efiectin a driving ently of the position of said first mentioned 11a nesepai i m p Q in combination, speed change gears, shiftoperate said member, common operatin ers therefor, ower devices for moving said means for said pawls, and means to trip sai shifters to e ect driving connection of said first mentioned pawl for freeing said shift gears, means controlling the action of said ers before operation of said member by said 5 power devices, means for moving said shiftsecond mentioned pawl. 1o ers to position said gears in neutral, and a 27. Ina device of the character described, common operating member for the two aforein combination, speed change gears, shi tsaid means, said second mentioned means ers therefor, meansto move said shifters for being operable by said shifters when moved neutralizing said gears, power devices tomentioned means to terminate the action of connection of said gears, a bodily movable said power devices. o crating member for said means, a mov- 22. In a device of the character set forth, a le operating member for controlling said in combination, speed change gears, electrodevices, and means to trip said first mendrivin connection thereof, foot operated dependently of the position of said second contro means to energize said electro-rementioned member.

sponsive means, and means tending to effect 28; In a device of the character described,

immediate deenergization of said electro-rei co bination, speed hange gears, shi testablishment of driving connections of said hift r for neutralizing said gears, power ears. devices to move said shifters for effecting '23, In a device of the character described, driving connection of said gears, a memin combination, speed change gears, shift- .ber controllin said power devices, a bodily neutralizing said gears, ower devices to pawl bodily movable in the same direction move said shifters for e ectin a driving to operate said second mentioned member, COIIIIGCUOH 0f Stud g a mem lcommon operating means for said pawls, and

ling Said power vi es, an operati g pawlmeansto tri said first mentioned pawl for mem er, and common p r ting m n f said second mentioned member y said secsaid pawls. end mentioned pawl.

24. In a device of the character described, 29. In a device of the character described, in combination, speed change gears, shifters in mbination, speed change gears, shi tneutralizing said gears, power devices to shifters for neutralizing said gears, power move said shifters for efiecting a driving devices to move said shifters or efiecting connection of said gears, a member controldriving connection of said gears, a member ling said power devices, an operating pawl controlling said power devices, a bodily movmember, common operating means for said b dil bl i th 521mg di ti t pawls, and means to trip said first mentioned crate said second mentioned member, compawl for freeing said shifters before actuaen operatin means for said pawls, means tion of said member by said second mento ,,trip said rst mentioned pawl for freeing said shifters before operation of sa d no 25. In a device of the character described, ond mentioned member by said secon in combination, speed change gears,.shifters mentioned pawl, and means to tr p said sectherefor, means to move said shifters for end mentioned pawl upon actuation of said neutralizing said gears, power devices to shifters by said power devices independconnection of said gears, a mem ercontrolpawl. I ling said power devices, a pawl movable in 30. In a device of the character described, one direction for op r ing sai means, asecin eoinbinatmn, speed change gears, shifters ond pawl movable in the same directionto. therefor having offset portions positioned in operate said member, and operating means alinement when said gears are in neutra, iao

I so neutralizing said gears, ower d i t 31. In adevice of the character described, 126

for ii pa l foot operated means to en age and aline 26. In a device of the character described, said ofiset portions, and and operated in combination, speed change gears, shifters means to engage'and move said portions intherefor, means to move said shifters for dependently of said foot operated means. move said shifters for. e ecting) a driving in combination, speed change gears, shi tconnection of said gears, a mem er controlers therefor having offset portions posilin said power devices, a pawl movable in tioned in alin'eme t when said gears are in one direction for operating'said means, a secneutral, foot operated means to engage.- an

one pawl movable in the same direction to aline-said ofiset portions, andhandpperated inseam means to enga e and selectively move said portions out 0 alinement.

32. in a device of the character described, in combination, speed change gears, shifters therefor having ofi'set portions projecting toward each other and positioned in alinement when said gears are in neutral, par- 30 in combination,

foot operated means allel shafts extending transversely of said shifters,a pair of interlocked rotatable members on said shafts embracing said ofiset portions and movable together for alining the same a pair of forked levers on one of said shaits movable independently of said members, each of said levers engaging one of said offset portions and being adapted to move the same, and means for selectively locking said levers to said shaft supporting the same.

33. In a device of the character described,

in combination, speed change gears, electroresponsive devices to move the same, a normally open switch controlling circuit to said devices, a member movable in one direction to close said switch, and means to trip said member upon movement of said gears by said devices, said member also insuring positive opening of said switch upon reverse movement.

34. In a device of the character described, speed change gears, an electro-responsive device to move the same, a switch controlling circuit to said device, means biasing said switch to open position, foot operated means movable in one direction to close said switch, and means to trip 1 said foot operated means upon movement of said gears by said device, said foot operated means also acting to positively open said switch upon failure of the same to open 1n response to said biasing means.

In a device of the character described, 111 combination, speed change gears, an electro-responsi've device to move the same, a

normally-open switch controlling circuit to said device, a foot operated pawl movable in one direction to close said switch, and means to trip saidpawl on movement of said gears by said device, said pawl also acting when moved in a reverse direction to positively open said switch.

In combination, speed change transmission gears, a clutch device controlling power transmission thereto, elec'tro-responsive devices for shifting said gears, foot 013- erated means for actuating said clutch device and efl'ecting energization of said electroeresponsive devices, and means tending to etiect denergization of said electro-responsive devices upon gear shifting thereby, said being also operable to insure deenergizationofjsaid elect'ro-responsive devices independently of said second mentioned means.

37. lln combination, speed change gears,

-. successively and the'trippin a clutch actuating member to control the power transmission thereto, neutralizing means for said gears, and a lost motion connection between said clutch actuating member and said neutralizing means providing for actuation of the latter by the former and for actuation of the former independently of the latter for clutch release. In combination, speed change gears, a

clutch actuating member to control the power transmission: thereto, power operated.

by the operating member of said clutch device for positioning said gears in neutral relation after the power transmission thereto has been interrupted, electro-responsive means controlled by said clutch operating means and operable only after the neutral positioning of said gears for eiiecting drivin connection thereof, and manually operable means for efie'cting driving connection of said gears independently of said electroresponsive devices. v

40. In a device of the character described, in combination, speed change gears, means for neutralizing the same, electro-responsave means for effecting a driving connection between said gears, controlling means for said electro-responsive means and common operating means for said neutralizing and control ing means having a trip connec-.

tion with each.

4.1. In a device of the character described, in combination, speed change gears neutralizing means therefor, electro-responsive means for eii'ecting a driving connection through said gears, means controlling the energization of said electro-responsive means, and common cperatin means for said neutralizing, and centre ling means having a trip connection with each, the tripping of said connections being cfiedted of one connection being dependent upon t at of the other.

42. In combination, speed change gears, a clutch device controlling the power transmission thereto, operatin means for said clutch device, means incl uding a tripping device actuated by said operating means for positioning said gears in neutral relat'ion after the interruption of the power transmission thereto, a lost motion connec tion between said operating means and said neutralizing means, clectro-responsive means meson 4 W for efiecting a, driving connection of said. In witness whe 'eof, I halve hereunto submeans, :means for energlzmg said electroscribed my name in the presence of two Wli'r responsive means but only. after action of nesses. said tripping device and. means tending LIAM A. MCCARRELL. upon establishment of driving connection of Witnesses:

said gears to render sald energizing means H. WA'rsoN, ineffective. TEKLA BABT- 

